These days, it seems like there are as many court cases involving cyclists than there are riders on the streets.

Fortunately, cyclist/attorney Dj Wheels has done his usual great job of keeping us up to date with the latest legal proceedings — including charges against the under-aged, allegedly intoxicated driver who ran down who hit Adam Rybicki head on, and Thursday’s sentencing for Marco Antonio Valencia, convicted in the hit-and-run DUI death of Joseph Novotny.

Editor’s Note: While Dj Wheels provided updates on these cases, any commentary or information beyond the actual status of the cases are mine. So blame me, not him.

Jaclyn Andrea Garcia: Charges were filed May 19th at the Torrance Courthouse for the DUI collision that critically injured cyclist Adam Rybicki this past April. The Supervising Judge recused all the judges there from hearing the case, with no public explanation for his actions; however, rumor has it that Garcia’s mother is a court reporter in Torrance, which would explain the recusal.

As a result, arraignment was held Tuesday in Department 5 of the Inglewood Courthouse, Case #YA081126. Garcia’s attorney, George Bird, entered a plea of not guilty to all four counts:

Bird also informed the court on the record that his client has voluntarily surrendered her driver’s license, entered into a three-month alcohol program, voluntarily attended 18 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and has begun electronic alcohol monitoring with the SCRAM device made famous by Hollywood’s favorite outlaw.

Too bad it’s just a little too late.

Had Garcia sobered up a few months earlier, Adam Rybicki might not be in a coma right now, the victim of a 20-year old woman still drunk and behind the wheel at 7:15 in the morning.

And you can bet that none of the actions Garcia took in surrendering her license or entering rehab were her idea; it was no doubt ordered by her attorney in an attempt to show remorse and get his client released with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

After all, it’s worked for any number of Hollywood celebrities, whose first stop after hitting the tabloids is usually a stint in luxury rehab.

And by all accounts, Garcia’s high-priced attorney knows what he’s doing. Maybe if Dr. Thompson’s attorney had ordered him straight into rehab, he might be a free man today.

Let’s hope that the court takes this case seriously, and doesn’t let yet another driver buy her way out of taking responsibility.

Speaking of the infamous Good Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Thompson: The date for oral arguments has been continued upon the court’s own motion in the appeal of Dr. Thompson’s conviction for intentionally injuring two cyclists in Mandeville Canyon by slamming on his brakes in front of them. The new date is now 6/29/11.

Marco Antonio Valencia: Valenica was convicted last month in the hit-and run DUI death of cyclist Joseph Novotny. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for today (Thursday) at the San Fernando Court; he faces up to 24 year to life in prison.

Patrick Roraff & Brett Morin: Roraff and Morin are charged with causing the death of rising pro cyclist Jorge Alvarado in April of last year. The two were allegedly street racing when Roraff lost control and slammed into Alvarado, who was riding on the opposite shoulder. Pretrial conference is scheduled for 7/7.

Captain John David Hines: Hines, a Long Beach Fire Captain, is accused of plowing into cyclist Jeffrey Gordon, then fleeing the scene, despite legal, and professional, obligations to stop and render aid. He had allegedly been drinking for hours in a local bar before getting behind the wheel, and had a BAC of .24 at the time of his arrest — three times the legal limit. And once again, he reportedly checked into rehab right after his arrest. Pretrial conference scheduled for 6/17.

5 comments

I’m Jim Laing’s sister and read D J Wheels’ comment on the June 28th hearing of Stephanie Segal, who killed my brother on October 23, 2010. It says that the DA has been ordered to have the victims present. I would really like to speak to Mr. Wheels further about this unusual request and what our family may be able to do to circumvent a possible plea bargain, if that is a possibility at this 6-28 hearing. I would be greatful if you could pass along my phone number to DJ Wheels to call me at: 916-717-5751. Thank you for your ever vigilant coverage on my brother Jim’s behalf. Peggy Laing-Krause

I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again, how much time is spent during rehab teaching these “patients” not to get into the car when they’ve had a drink? We don’t care if they have a drinking problem. We care if they drive their cars. It’s not about curing them. It’s about the rest of the world vs. them. Take their driver’s licenses away. Seize their cars. Send them to jail. I believe that alcoholism is a disease but, deciding to drive while drunk is not a symptom. IMHO, of course.

Allowing Adam Rybicki’s near-murderer to plead to a lesser charge or avoid spending some significant time in the pokey would be a travesty of justice.

All fine and good that she’s decided to surrender her license. All fine and good that she is finally attending AA meetings and is being monitored. Those are all things that she should have done (and her parents should have encouraged by yanking the car from her grasp) a long time ago.

And if someone can drive drunk, seriously injure and nearly kill someone, and plan on having their “come to Jesus” moment after all the damage is done, there is little to prevent anyone from waiting until THEY nearly kill someone before they have their epiphany.

When it is all said and done, all she is doing (no doubt at her attorney’s insistence … I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when that discussion went down) is what she should have done in the first place.

Nope. She needs to do all the things she has already agreed to do. But she needs a heck of a lot more. Like punishment in the form of significant time in jail.

And if she wants to take part in some public service … perhaps going to driver training courses and telling people what she did and how they should never do the same … that might mitigate some of the damage she caused. But justice requires she should continue with that public service for as long as Adam continues to recover from his injuries … which unfortunately, is going to be a long, long time to come.

That girl is still drinking (still under 21) nearly every single day! She posts photos of comments of it to her social media accounts! The NERVE! Where the hell is her probation officer? It’s OBVIOUS that her parents allow this! I’m DISGUSTED!